5 Birthday Party Trends for Kids

My children love to plan parties just as much as I do. My 4 year old has come up with a few very elaborate themes in the past that would wow the socks off of a professional party planner. This year he expects me to throw a jungle-themed party, complete with live snakes, tarantulas and lizards…sure. My daughter favors the finer things in life and has requested a princess-themed tea party with an appearance from Cinderella. Have I mentioned she’s only two years old? It seems these days, with the advent of Pinterest, Etsy and party-focused blogs, moms are inspired to think outside of the box, and our children are acclimating blissfully to the evolution of highly personalized, wildly imaginative birthday parties. Though many still host parties at home, moms, dads and kids alike have been influenced by the latest trends, and one thing is certain, creativity is key.

Below are 5 notable birthday party trends for kids these days:

1. Personalized themes – Gone are the days of the generic birthday party. A child’s favorite things can bring a party to life and create a personalized experience that makes the birthday kid feel extra special. In an age where ideas are at our finger tips, crafty and non-crafty moms can either hand-make or order highly personalized  items to fit any theme, whether it be an Evite-inspired garden party or vintage county fair party, or a Better Homes and Gardens inspired party with fairy princesses, puppets or robots. From monograms and gigantic, colorful balloons to food truck visits and photo backdrops, the sky is the limit when it comes to distinguishing touches. 

Pump It Up, a favorite venue for kid’s birthday parties across the nation, confirms the importance of special party experiences for children and guests. Having hosted over 2 million parties over the past 15 years, they continually add to their offering of party themes, with options for special character appearances and party goodies to help enhance the experience. Some of their themes include bubbles, glow, Superhero Training Camp, Pirate Quest, Princess Royal Bash parties and more.

2. Unique Experience – Our lives are filled with happy memories, many of them from bigger occasions. A child’s birthday party is an opportunity for mom to give her child and guests an event to remember. Activities that engage kids, such as favorite childhood games, scavenger hunts, crafts or other fun experiences help keep them happy. For active children, one might host a party somewhere that children can bounce, climb, run and play freely.  

At places like Pump It Up, the birthday child and his or her friends stay entertained, moving between giant inflatable slides and bounce houses, playing with imagination blocks and air hockey and experiencing “Cyclone Blast,” a simulated storm ride.

3. Smaller Party Size – Though themes and experiences have become more impressive these days, one counterintuitive trend is the move towards a more intimate guest list, consisting of closer friends and family. Our friends at Pump It Up state that their average kid’s birthday party includes 20 guests these days, whereas the average size 15 years ago was 25+ kids. Why? Perhaps the newer requirement in many classrooms to either abstain from passing out invites at school or make sure that all students in the class receive an invite is contributing to the downward trend. Whatever the reason, the end result is that guests list are becoming cozier, and that may be a good thing.

4. Online Invitations – Hand-written invites, though adorable, are becoming a thing of the past. According to a recent Punchbowl survey, 73% of survey respondents preferred online invitations to paper invitations when hosting a party. With sites like Paperless Post, Evite and Punchbowl, a party host can select from hundreds of uniquely themed invitations to match almost any style. Uploading a special photo of your child, switching backdrops, changing font and adding logos to a delightfully designed invitation is achievable in a few quick steps. And let’s not forget the ease of tracking RSVP’S and comments from guests. 

5. The Venue - Nearly 60% of moms host their child’s birthday party at a venue, looking into an average of three different spots before coming to a decision. Hosting a party at a venue offers a number of benefits – first and foremost, the convenience of hassle-free party planning that many venues offer. Not only do many sites offer to send out the invites for you, but they’ll let you choose from a number of kid-favorite themes, handle all of the decorating and provide a fun space to play and eat cake. 

You don’t even have to lift a finger – no messy house to clean beforehand in preparation for the party; no messy house with frosting stains in your carpet afterwards. A great venue will help you to personalize the party and create an unforgettable experience for you and your child.